The Church is not a building. The Church is people. While the Church does need to gather for worship, people don't cease to be the Church just because it's a Tuesday, or because they're not in the right place.

Community Groups give us the opportunity to get together in each other's homes as the Church Scattered. They are an essential part of our ministry and mission in the Vancouver area and are an essential part of the life of VanChurch. In Community Groups, the people of VanChurch can build authentic community.

We have several Community Groups that meet in various parts of the Vancouver area. If you are interested in joining one of our Community Groups contact us and we will get you more information.

Should I join one?

Community Groups are a safe place for you to explore and deepen your understanding of the Gospel, no matter where you are coming from and what your experience has been. If you are looking for a place to connect with other people in community to pursue Jesus, then join one. If you are just beginning to explore Christianity, or if you’re new to VanChurch, there is no better place for you to plug in and get connected.

What to expect

Each Community Group will be different because different people will make up each one. That said, you can expect to eat together, pray together, read the Bible together, and have discussion about how to apply what the Bible says to our lives. While all of our Community Groups study the Bible, they aren't just a Bible study. They are more like families who are gathering weekly for dinner together; families who love each other, encourage each other,have fun together, and work together for a purpose. Each Community Group will also developa mission that is unique to the group, but consistent with the overall mission of VanChurch.

Discipleship

Community Groups are the place where discipleship happens. We read the Bible together, pray for each other, and help each other get closer to Jesus. That’s the case whether you have had no connection to Jesus before in your life, or if you’re a committed follower of Jesus. As we grow in our understanding of the Gospel together, in community, we can challenge each other to allow God’s Word to more deeply penetrate our hearts and work itself out in our lives.

Care

Community Groups are the place where the Body of Christ can really be His Body as we live life together. That means we laugh together, celebrate together, shed tears together, and build up real, loving relationships with each other as we try to live out the Gospel.

Mission

In Community Groups we serve each other, challenge each other, and work together to bring Jesus to our city. As the Church Scattered we can better work our way into the neighborhoods and communities of our city for the sake of the Gospel. In community we are able to work together to find and seize opportunities to make a difference and to make disciples of Jesus.